Interleukin 1 beta inhibitors are substances which block the effect of interleukin 1 beta. It is one of the molecules that participate in the regulation of the immune system. At the same time, there is described that interleukin 1 beta, in case of a disrupted function of the immune system, has a significant role in the development of different autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases.
The immune system uses for its regulation a lot of substances, primarily so-called cytokines amongst them belongs also interleukin 1 beta. This interleukin is activated with an inflammasome what is a molecular structure consisting of multiple parts. One of them is an enzyme which is set it the motion for example after contact of the human body with a virus. This enzyme then activates the interleukin 1 beta itself which works as a key molecule for the support of the inflammatory reaction of the immune system.
It has been discovered in both mice and tissue samples gained from the endomyocardial biopsy in patients with myocarditis that one of the inflammasomes activating interleukin 1 beta plays a significant role in the course of myocarditis. The inflammasome participated in both activation of the interleukin, and the death of the heart muscle cells. Moreover, its concentration associated with the severity of the illness. The role of this inflammasome has been researched even in patients with heart failure where it plays its role too.
It is not surprising that there are several studies with the purpose to influence the activity of interleukin 1 beta, respectively of the inflammasome that activates the interleukin, and not just in the case of heart diseases. In this and other articles, I am going to describe several representatives of so-called interleukin 1 beta inhibitors. Now, I will deal with the substance Canakinumab.
Canakinumab is an antibody against interleukin 1 beta, which is already used in the treatment of some rheumatological diseases. Its usage has been researched even in patients with diabetes with the damage of blood vessels. In terms of cardiovascular diseases, its effect has been evaluated, for now, just in patients that suffered from a heart attack. In the study, the therapy with Canakinumab has led to a decrease of CRP (a biomarker of inflammation) and the risk of recurrence of the heart attack and other related diseases. The side-effects of the therapy included in the first place lower number of white blood cells and blood clots. A small number of patients experienced a severe infection. Generally, the study has proved a positive effect of Canakinumab in a specific group of patients that suffered from a heart attack.
However, the effect of Canakinumab in patients with myocarditis has not been evaluated yet. It is still a promising possible therapy of the disease which waits for another research.
In conclusion, I take the liberty of writing a small note. A huge part of the research of myocarditis treatment is aimed at the substances modulating and often partially suppressing the immune system activity, for example, immunosuppressive therapy. It is good to realize that the aim of this and other related therapies is not to completely suppress the function of the immune system because it is vitally important for the good health of the human body. The goal of these immunological therapies is just to modulate the immune system function so the course of a patient´s illness is as favourable as possible. For example, in the situation when the immune system reckons by mistake the heart muscle cells as foreign germs and attacks them, or in the situation when a chronic inflammation persists in the heart or the intensity of the immune system activity is too big.
Authors of the opening picture: Jawahar Swaminathan and MSD staff at the European Bioinformatics Institute
